Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-05-28
The Fourth Days Drill.

and s1Oo
The Fourth Days Drill.
Shortly before 10 o'clock this morning the COM
panies scheduled to compete in the fourth days
drill marched into the parade grounds and were
carefully inspected, and then marched back to
camp. Promptly at 10 O'Clock Company B, Of the
1st virginia regiment, drew up ready to be drilled
At this hour the attendance was very Slim. The
air was chilly, and Overhang1ng and threatening
clouds gave promise Of another rain fall before
the conclusion Of the days exhibitions
COMPANY B, FIRST VIRGINIA REGIMENT.
The Virginia company were uniformed in the
regular State militia garb-blue trousers, gray
coats and black helmets with gold fronts. In
stacking arms one stack OF guns tumbled over,
and when the men marched with empty hands the
marked precision. Neither did they load and and fire
well together. Firing lying at full length was a
go-as-you-please fusilade. They marched fairly
f1rst-ciass. The blank cartridge volley was rather
uneven. On the whole their drilling was only
about the average although. perhaps, slightly su-
pertor to other virginia companies
THE NEALY RIFLES OF MAINE
next came to the front. They were uniformed In
light blue trousers, dark blue dress coats with
gold trimmings, three rows OF brass buttons, and
black helmets. with gold fronts and spikes. Their
exhibition was not frst-class, although some Of
reSuming arms one was dropped from the stack,
but its owner stopped and recovered it. In firing
lying QOWU, the C1Btdl0 renamed SCln0lQg. In
preparing to fire blank cartridges one man dropbed
his cartridge. Their marching was quite goOd, but
their general performance was not above the av-
erage.
BY IL O'Clock the weather did not seem so threat
ening, and the crowd had assumed gOodly propor-
lions, promising excellent attendance before the
end OF the day.
THE NATIONAL RIFLES
At this hour the National Rifles, OF this city,
marched up in front Of the grand stand. As usual,
they presented fine appearance and were enthu-
siast1cally received. The spectators were anxious
to compare their work with that OF the other COM
panies, particularly OF the washington Light In
rantry, and their every movement was eagerly
with the prevailing green OF the parade ground.
Manson, until near the judges tent, and then
ter, OF the Rifles, rode up just before the drill
commenced and watched his boys with great in
teress They stacked @ guns which has proved
peared. They marched OF In company front, Sa-
futed and marched back and forth, changing step
II They ey1'' lost S step slightly in Dropping to
common time from double-Quick In company
front Arms were resumea ,n & wsnogI an S error and
tests were admirably executed, although bayonets
were not as well fixed as unfxed. They loaded as
Obiique weM They fneit and ared wen together aa:
They lay down and fired with great precision, but
the captain remained standing. The men regained
marched by tours wen together, and came together
In company front in good shape. The wheeling
was good, although one wheel was little TOO
much dished. Marching by right oblique by fours
was capital. The orders were given and executed
promptly, and it appeared as Il the program was
carried out to the letter. Blank cartridge firing
was good, but, like the Light Infantry Company,
the r1fes did not wear cartridge boxes and had an
advantage In loading. They knelt as one man,
and their voiley was as good as that OF any other
company. subsequently, they circled about and
f,red again IN the same direction, toward the
panies nred all four v0lleys In the same direction
and many people held that the Rifles Interpreted
the order correctly. They made no individual
mistakes Il was very difncult to compare the
Rifes drtl with that OF the Light Infantry, as SO
many companies had drilled between them. 1t
companies had pushed up well toward the front
Before the RideS time waa up the crack
+ sr. PAUL COMPANY
marched through the southern gate and awaited
their turn behind the lighthouse. The St Paul
boys had innumeraDle friends ready to back them
for frst place. and their appearance creaeed con-
siderable enthusiasm. Drawn up Ia line they pre-
eented very buSnesS-nke appearance. They
wore blue trOuseFs with white stxipeS blue frock
[COafjsased on FVth Raoe,l